Weird Al Yankovic: I Lost on Jeopardy

Weird Al Yankovic: I Lost on Jeopardy

Song released June 4, 1984

Music Video

VHS

B+

This salute to the pre-Trebek version of the game show remains one of Al's catchiest songs, with the onscreen tech crew (including Dr. Demento) doing the oos.  Don Pardo, whom I then best knew from Saturday Night Live reruns, seems to take particular glee in calling Al a loser.  Unlike "Eat It," this doesn't attempt to capture the original video, except in the closing shots, with Greg Kihn himself in the car.  Look for the naughty "answer" about chrome-sucking, which we're not given the question for.

Weird Al Yankovic: I Love Rocky Road

Weird Al Yankovic: I Love Rocky Road
Song released July 5, 1983
Music Video
VHS
B-

Weird Al's cover of the Joan Jett hit (itself a cover of an Arrows song) is definitely catchy (and one I still think of at ice cream parlors), but the lyrics and video are less interesting than those for "Ricky."  It is notable that the subject is another popular one for Al: food, especially junk food.  And this time Dr. Demento gets a little bit more to do, as the cashier.

Weird Al Yankovic: Ricky

Weird Al Yankovic: Ricky
Song released May 3, 1983
Music Video
VHS
B

In what has turned out to be a very long career, especially for a song-parodist, this remains one of his best songs and best videos.  Yes, it was obviously done on the cheap (I'm sure being able to film mostly in black & white was appreciated), and the editing is choppy.  (Perhaps deliberately, but that hasn't aged well.)  As a late Baby Boomer (born in '59), Yankovic has always had an affection for television, including here for what many regard as the most classic show of all.  Aided ably by Tress MacNeille for his Lucy, Al plays both Ricky Ricardo and his own scruffy self.  And, yes, it's a parody of the queer-in-many-senses song "Mickey."  (Seriously, listen to the lyrics if you never have.)  Sweet and silly, not on the level of "Eat It," but still a good place to start.